AFA 18th Anniversary

18th Anniversary 114 www.afamag.com | w ww.incollect.com Mrs. Seth Wilkinson Attributed to Lyman Parks, eastern New York State, 1827–1830 Oil on tulip poplar panel, 39¼ x 33¼ in. Museum purchase (1960.100.2) In 2011, twenty oil-on-panel portraits were attributed to the artist who depicted Mrs. Seth Wilkinson. Because her likeness was among the first of this group to be studied and possibly remains the best known, her name became associated with the artist. New research has revealed the identity of the Wilkinson Limner as Lyman Parks, a painter also proficient in the medium of watercolor. For information, see “Mr. Willson of NH” and His Remarkable Watercolors by Deborah Child in the Autumn 2017 issue of this magazine. Two Children Artist unknown, America, ca. 1810. Oil on white pine panel, 22½ x 25⅝ in. From the collection of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; Gift of the Museum of Modern Art (1954.100.2) This portrait is unusual in several respects, including the placement of the two subjects in the right half of a pronounced compositional triangle. The dramatic design focuses attention on the two youngsters, as does the contrast between their pale skin and dresses and the dominant browns and greens of the setting. The darkened room, open door, and temporarily placed bench or chair, create an air of mystery, suggesting that the children yearn to go outside—but cannot. The device of one child holding another clearly conveys sibling affection.